Two neighbouring UK towns, just seven miles apart, have become an unlikely hotspot for supermarkets with every major grocery chain between them. Weymouth and Dorchester, both in Dorset, are home to a full house of major UK supermarkets, making it unusually convenient for residents and shoppers in the area. They both have Iceland, and Weymouth has an Aldi, Asda, two Co-ops, Lidl, Morrisons, Spar, M&S and Sainsbury’s.
Next door, Dorchester is home to a Co-op, Lidl, Tesco, and Waitrose. However, not everyone believes this to be a good thing.
The new Marks and Spencer Food Hall superstore, set to open in Weymouth in 2027, will be twice the size of the current town centre branch, which is relocating to the larger site but this has raised concern among some local business owners.
Located directly opposite Morrisons and Aldi on Dorchester Road, it will become the fifth supermarket within just one square mile.
The development has raised alarm among local independent shop owners, who fear the growing concentration of big name supermarkets could push smaller businesses out, the Daily Mail reported.
Deborah Strange, of Howells Butchers, who has been in Weymouth for almost 100 years, told the Daily Mail: “There are too many supermarkets in such a small space – it’s total overkill. When I look out of the shop window I can see three of them.
“But we are a family-run, quality butchers and there is no other in Weymouth so we have our loyal customers and the community rallies behind us.”
“The worst thing with all these supermarkets is that they are taking business out of the town centre which is killing the high street.
“The town centre needs sprucing up but, combined with the ridiculous parking charges, why would anyone go into it.”
The local council said the addition of more supermarkets is aimed at boosting the local economy, and stated that Weymouth has space to support both major national chains and smaller independent businesses.
A Dorset Council spokesperson said: “Energising Weymouth’s economy is an important objective for Dorset Council. Attracting well-known brands will encourage further investments across all industry sectors.
“With a population of almost 54,000 that increases exponentially with visitors every year there is room for businesses of all kinds from large nationals to small independants.”